April JSA changes

AP007

KevInChester wrote: »

Those references are not current references (3 years ago?) Also if the Managing Directors thought you were that amazing you would have had a job - are you trying to say the managing director of an agency has absolutely no sway with regards to recruitment?

You need to show willing, at the moment you seem to be stuck in the past rather than doing what you can to make do with the present.

I will not name the agency here but said agency who I went back too right away after losing my job said someone with 2 years experience in work would get the interview over me with no job and believe me they have tried. I even had a 1 hour chat on the phone with the MD right at the very begining of my unemployment.

If he gets clients who will not see me he can not risk business telling them they are wrong.

Would a current ref for charity shop work get me a interview in accounts role? I am not starting an arguement, just a question. How would anything current show what I can do accounts wise if it's not in accounts.

AP007

melysion wrote: »

To be fair, redundancy isn't always linked to performance you know. You could be an excellent employee and still be axed - for a variety of reasons.

Kev means the MD at the agency

KevInChester

It might not get you a job in accounts but it could lead to you getting a job in something else. Anything is better than the soul crushing despair induced by the dole. You may also find that once in the charity shop they would ask you to help them with things that are more relevant to you. If not perhaps volunteer in a school - reading/writing help for students, it's very rewarding and will get you a lot of good contacts.

busy_mom_2

Can I say a couple of things, Firstlythere is a difference between the schemes. MWA is 4 WEEKS community action programme is 6 MONTHS.

I would expect someone of 8 years unemployment, who has not undertaken any work, paid or unpaid, to undertake in a 6 weeks 30 hour scheme.

It is expected a 1/3 of PWPS will be referred to the 6 mnth scheme. If people have taken part in any other workscheme then no it is not at this moment in time expected they will participate.

I work full time, always have done and I also volunteer at least 3/4 hours per week with no expenses or financial reward. What is so wrong with offering some time to help others?

It is not an advisers job to get anyone a job, ultimately it is up to the jobseeker to get work. This statement is now on the claimant commitment. As for my views no I don't belive in all the schemes, many wont work, some will, I dont pick on easy targets for sanctions but I do belive there are many people out there who do want to work and who do want help, there are also people out there who don't want to work and know the system well enough to say all the right things, hopefully one day a scheme will come about to make a fair benefits system but i wont hold my breath.

busy_mom_2

AP007 wrote: »

I still sign once every 14 days.

I go and see my advsior when she has the time and it's never a booked appointment but one called a clerical one where it's on her diary but not an offical booked on on the system as she has no places to see me.

I have not seen her since 28th February and even then she spoke of nothing at all.

Trasnfered to another advisor now as she hass been moved to another department so got to wait for an appointment.

Been back at the JC now 8 months and only been in 6 times as 3 have been cancelled (by them).

Surely this shows how low staffing levels are, average advisers will have a caseload of around 80-120 customers, how are they expected to see them all as often as this new schemes states?

busy_mom_2

British heart foundation and salvation army still participate in 8 week WEX schemes.

melysion

busy_mom wrote: »

.

It is not an advisers job to get anyone a job, ultimately it is up to the jobseeker to get work. This statement is now on the claimant commitment. As for my views no I don't belive in all the schemes, many wont work, some will, I dont pick on easy targets for sanctions but I do belive there are many people out there who do want to work and who do want help, there are also people out there who don't want to work and know the system well enough to say all the right things, hopefully one day a scheme will come about to make a fair benefits system but i wont hold my breath.

If you don't help people get a job, you aren't actually an advisor are you. You are a sanction enforcer. Your job title needs to change. I don't have much time for job advisors to be honest (anyone who thinks its ok to take away a vulnerable persons only source of income gets a black mark from me) but at least you don't agree with all the schemes. I can't even imagine how you guys would manage if loads of people were suddenly expected to sign on every day! How on earth does that help? It's just a way to hassle and bully people into signing off, to be fair. As regards to a fairer benefit system - how about one that treats the unemployed as decent and intelligent human beings? The fact that any new claimants are expected to prove that they can read and write despite their educational level is just moronic. If I ever had to sign on (over my dead body) and was told I had to prove I could read and write I'll stick my PhD thesis in their face.

busy_mom_2

melysion wrote: »

If you don't help people get a job, you aren't actually an advisor are you. You are a sanction enforcer. Your job title needs to change. I don't have much time for job advisors to be honest (anyone who takes away a vulnerable persons only source if income gets a black mark from me) but at least you don't agree with all the schemes. I can't even imagine how you guys would manage if loads of people were suddenly expected to sign on every day!

I never said not help, I simply said its not up to us to get a jobseekers a job. I am more than willing to help anyone who wants help. I am not a sanction enforcer but I have to work by the rules laid down by my employer, jobseekers in order to recieve benefit have to meet thier obligations. The jobseeker is paid to seek and apply for the jobs, we are there to help with referrals to courses to support jobsearch, ensure a good quality C.V that jobseekers know how to change and adapt to each application. Look at training and if appropriate refer any doubts to a decision maker. The name has changed to 'coach' which I personally think is totally inappropriate. I find it frustrating that many jobseeker sends the same C.V to every job and that C.V. is sometimes at least 2-3 years old, many do not have a C.V. after long periods of unemployments. Yes there are vulnerable people just as much as I have said there are people who want help and people who do not.

I also have no idea where all these jobseekers will go either!

busy_mom_2

Can I also point out there has to be be a difference betwen LONG term unemployed who do not have skills or qualifications and dependant unpon area we are talking ESOL needs, language barriers as well as low levels of english and maths. I am not referring to JSAC claims (who I personally believe should not have to even sign on)

AP007

busy_mom wrote: »

British heart foundation and salvation army still participate in 8 week WEX schemes.

I have applied for jobs at both and one told me they wouldn't interview me as I was out of work and again I am not making this up.

I would not volunteer to work for free for someone who didn't want me for a paying job.